WhatsApp has officially introduced a new privacy-focused feature dubbed Advanced Chat Privacy with the aim to offer users better control over how the messages are handled in both individual and group chats. This new feature allows the users to restrict the export of chats, disable automatic media downloads and prevent the use of messages in the AI features.
After the users enable the feature, these restrictions will apply to everyone in the chat, making it more difficult to take out the content from WhatsApp without content. In a blog post, the Meta-owned instant messaging platform stated that the feature is specifically relevant for the users who are part of group chats where they may not want to know everyone personally but ensure sensitive discussions including those involving health issues or community coordination, remain private.
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“WhatsApp groups are increasingly an extension of our real-world networks, some of which are far closer than others. We think this feature is best used when talking with groups where you may not know everyone closely but are nevertheless sensitive in nature, like talking about health challenges in a support group or organizing your community about something important to you,” the company stated in a blog post.
In case you are wondering how to activate this feature, all you need to do is, go to the chat or group info screen, then tap on “Advanced Chat Privacy.” However, the feature is gradually rolling out with the latest WhatsApp update.
It is worth noting that this is the first iteration of Advanced Chat Privacy with plans to expand its capabilities with the future update. This means WhatsApp will continue to enhance the feature for more privacy.